Corn picker



Aqg. 27. 1940. w OEHLER r AL Re. 21,542

CORN PICKER Original Filed Jan. 10, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. W. OEHLER ET AL CORN PICKER Original Filed Jan. 10, 1936 Aug. 27, 1940.

g [N VENTOR milmnfifldfm A TTORNEYS.

BY w

Reissued Aug. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORN PICKEB Original No. 2,160,486, dated May 30, 1939, Serial No. 58,449, January 10, 1936. Renewed Decemher 2, 1937.

Application for reissue August 19,

1939, Serial No. 292,112

Claims.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements and is particularly concerned with implements and the like adapted to be connected with and propelled by a tractor, the whole constituting a complete operative machine.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision ofa new and improved agricultural machine comprising corn picking and husking units mounted at opposite sides on a tractor and discharging the ears of corn rearwardly into a wagon or other container pulled at the rear of the tractor.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved frame construction for such a machine, embodying a generally U-shaped frame embracing the tractor and connected therewith, together with independently movable wheel means separate from the tractor wheels and arranged to support a substantial portion of the weight of the implement frame and operating units so as to relieve the tractor of such stresses.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved agricultural machine comprising a frame connected with a tractor so as to move therewith and provided with independently movable wheels connected with the implement frame by spring means and toggle mechanism so arranged that each wheel can follow the irregularities of the ground surface, moving independently of both the implement frame and the tractor while at the same time carrying a substantial portion of the weight of the implement frame and operating means thereon.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an implement frame adapted to be attached to and propelled by a tractor and disposed so that the operating units carried on the frame are arranged in a low-down position, whereby the machine as a whole is not rendered top-heavy or diflicult to control and maneuver, and particularly is it an object of the present invention to provide such an implement in which the operating unit or units are carried in substantially i'lxed relation with respect to the tractor but with separate implement supporting means carrying a substantial portion of the weight of the attachment and movable independently of the tractor while at the same time supporting a full share of the load.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision of an agricultural machine embodying a generally U-shaped frame embracing the propelling tractor and pivotally connected therewith at its rear end and fastened to the frame at its forward end by height adjusting means, whereby the wheels of the tractor in following the ground irregularities serve to gauge the height of operation of the unit or units carried by the frame, in connection with independently suspended weight carrying wheel means servingto relieve the tractor of a substantial portion, and in many cases a major portion, of the weight of the implement itself.

Further, another object of the present invention is the provision of improved implement means detachably connected with a tractor and including a generally U-shaped frame embracing the tractor and having its open end disposed rearwardly,'together with elevator means completing the open rear end of the implement frame and detachably connected with the latter so as to permit a ready connection of the implement with and disconnection from the tractor.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved corn picking and husking machine embodying a detachable elevator and blower means, forming a part of the husking mechanism, detachable with the elevator. In this connection, a further object of the present invention is the provision of improved means for driving the blower from the power take-01f of the tractor, which means is arranged to accommodate the relative movement between the implement frame and the tractor when the picking units are adjusted relative to the ground.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of new and improved connections for driving the various operating units from the power take-off of the tractor.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred structural embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an agricultural machine constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view, ,with parts broken away in order to better illustrate the frame construction and certain of the driving connections;

Figure 4 is a top view, corresponding generally to a section taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 3;

ligureiisafragmentarysectiontakenalong ofl'lguredandillustratingthedis- Referring now moreparticuiarly to Figures 1 and 2, the tractor upon which most of the operatts are mounted is indicated by the referwhich at their outer ends adjustably carry rear traction wheels I and l. The tractor I receives and is embraced by an implement frame structure of generally U-shaped formation, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral If. The U-shaped frame I2 supports a pair of picker units II and II, a pair of husking units I1 and ll, and an elevator III, the latter being carried on the rear end of the frame If. The tractor I alsoincludes a draw bar structure 2| (Figures 2 and 3) to which the pole II of a wagon 22 is connected, as by a cievis 23 or the like,'the wagon being disposed relative to the elevator I! so that the latter discharges the picked and husked ears of corn into the grain box of the wagon. From Figure 1 itwillbeseenthatthereisapickerunit anda husker unit at each side of the tractor and that the elevator I! is disposed centrally at the rear of the tractor. Generally upwardly and rearwardly extending conveyors II and 26 form a part of the picker units II and II and serve to convey the picked ears of corn to the rolls of the husking units I1 and II.

The main frame I2 of the implement comprises a horizontally disposed LI -shaped angle member ll embracing the forward end of the tractor, as bestseeninFigure 1. Theendsofthe U-shaped frame bar ll extend rearwardly alongside the front portion of the tractor and terminate in iaterally outwardly deflected portions 3i and 32 (Figure 4) to which two generally horizontally disposed frame bars I3- and 34 are secured. These latter frame bars extend fore and aft substantially the entire length of the tractor and terminate, respectively, in downwardly and forwardly disposed portions II and 3' (Figures 3 and 4) to which the picker units I5 and I. are fastened; To each of the frame bars a and It, adiacent the upper ends of the inclined sections IlandflthereoLisrigidlysecuredalaterally outwardly directed cross frame member ll, best shown in Figure 4. A sub-frame member or angiebarli isboltedatitsrearendtoeachof the cross frame members 4|, as at 42, and extends forwardly and downwardly alongside the frame bar sections 15 and It in generally parallel relation. The sub-frame members ll thus cooperatewith theframesections "and. "tempport the picker units Ii and ii. The latter units are of generally conventional construction, embodyins suitable gatherer points I! and M (Figure 1) arranged in close proximity to or in conat: with the ground alongside the front tractor wheels 3. line picker units II and II also include upper and lower gatherer chains of more or less conventional construction but which will be referred to later in connection with the means for driving the various operating units from th power of the tractor motor.

A second pair of sub-frame members I! and ll are connected at their forward ends, as at 0, to thecrossframemembers I laterallyoutwardly of the points of connection 42 of the picker subframe members 4 I The husker sub-frame members 41 and 48 extend forwardly and downwardly. as at II and I2, and also laterally inwardly a short distance, terminating in ends bolted, as at I, to the picker sub-frame members ii. A cross-frame member 54 at the rear serves to rigidly connect the rear ends of the frame members 34, l4, l1 and ll, the member 54 being detachably fixed in place, since it is necessary to remove this member and associated parts in attaching and detaching the implement to and from the tractor, as will be explained later. A pair of longitudinally extending brace rods 58 and 51 are disposed at opposite sides of the tractor and are anchored at their rear ends, as at 59 (Figures 3 and 4) to the main frame bars 33 and 34. The brace rods 56 and 51 pass over compression struts 80 (Figure 3) fixed to the frame members 33 and 34, the forward ends of the brace rods 5i and 51 being secured, as at 63, to the forward portion of the U-shaped frame member 30, as best shown in Figure 1. Preferably, but not necessarily, the forward ends of the brace or tie rods 56 and 51 are fastened by the same bolts that secure in place the inner ends of the curved yokes 6| that form a part of the picker units.

The implement frame If is connected at opposite ends to the tractor, one connection taking the form of pivot means permitting the frame to tilt with respect 'to the tractor while the other connecting means takes the form of adjusting mechanism whereby the front end of the implement frame can be raised or lowered relative to the tractor for the purpose of adjusting the operating position of the picker units with respect to the ground, the position of the forward portions of the picker units thus being gauged by the front wheels I of the tractor. The pivot connection between the frame If and the tractor I is disposed well toward the rear of the frame and, as

best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, takes the form of a pair of brackets ll, one being disposed at each side of the tractor. Each bracket is of sufficient width to provide for the adequate support of both the-inner and outer frame members at each side of the tractor, and since these brackets II are duplicates, except that one is right hand and the other left hand, only one will be ,described in detail. v

Referring now to Figure 6, which shows the right hand frame bracket, it willbe seen that the bracket comprises a laterally outer standard II, preferably in the form of an angle member, secured by bolts 12 to the outer or sub-frame member 4| at its upper end, and at its lower end the standard II carries a sleeve 13 securely fixed thereto, as by welding or the like. A second or inner standard, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 15, is disposed in the plane of the inner or main frame bar I4 and consists of three interconnected members, I1, I. and ll.

, The upper end of the first member II is bolted as at II to the main frame bar 34, and the lower end of the standard section I! carries a sleeve 82 welded thereto and disposed in axial alignment with the companion outer sleeve ll fixed to the lower end of the outer standard II. A plate It is bolted, as at 84 and 85, to the vertical standards II and 15, the plate being provided with an opening 86 to accommodate the driving shaft for the units carried at the right side of the implement frame, as will be explained later. Each bracket I0 is pivotally connected at its lowerwend to the associated end of the tractor rear axle housing 4. In the case of the right hand bracket, a plate is bolted, as at 0i, to the end of the tractor rear axle housing and at its lower end is provided with axially aligned trunnions 52. A pivot pin 54 is passed through the sleeves l3 and 02 and the trunnions 02 on the bracket plate 50. The pivot pin 54 is secured In position at its inner end by a cotter pin 55, or by any other suitable means that can be detached or released, and is bent angularly, as at 55, at its other end for the same purpose and also for the purpose of serving as a handle or the like to facilitate the removal of the pin 54 when it is desired to detach the implement from the tractor. The left hand bracket is supported by similar means, and since the brackets II are rigidly attached to the rear portion of the implement frame and since the lower ends of the brackets I0 are pivoted to companion brackets carried by the tractor, the implement frame is capable of vertical swinging movement relative to the tractor about the pivot axis defined by the pivot pins 04.

The forward portion of the agricultural implement is connected with the tractor by adjusting means which is capable of being manually controlled so as to govern the position of the frame relative to the tractor. From Figure 3 it will be noted that the downwardly and forwardly disposed portions of the implement frame lie substantially in the vertical transverse plane pass: ing through the tractor front wheels 3 and come fairly close to the ground. The tractor wheels 3 can thus be utilized for gauging the height of the front end of the machine, and the aforesaid adjusting means serves, therefore, to adjust the height of operation of the picker units. The adjusting means comprises a rock shaft I00 (F S- ures 3 and 4) arranged transversely of the tractor at its forward end and rockably carried in a pair of brackets IOI bolted, as at I02, to the side bars of the tractor frame. Arms I03 are fixed to the outer ends of the adjusting rock shaft I05 and pins I05 are provided at the outer ends of the arms and are suitably disposed in slots I05 formed in the vertical flange of the downwardly and forwardly inclined portions of the associated frame bars 35 and 35-.

A controlling arm I I0 is fixed to the right hand end of the adjusting shaft I00 and carries suitable latch mechanism II I (Figure 4) cooperating with a sector II2 (Figure 3) fixed, to the right hand bracket IOI so that when the latch mechanism III engages the sector, the controlling arm IIO holds the rock shaft in a given angular position, thus determining the elevation of the front end of the implement frame relative to the tractor. An adjusting lever H5 is mounted at the rear of the tractor adjacent the operator's position upon suitable pivot means II5, which preferably includes a pin II'I (Figure'4) carried at one end on an angle bar IIO fixed to the platform at the rear of the tractor. A link I connects the lever I5 with the controlling arm IIO, the link being pivotally connected, as at I2I and I22, with the lever and arm, respectively. The hand lever II5 carries a grip I which is pivoted to the lever at I25 and is connected to a rod I23 that extends longitudinally of the hand lever I I5 and, in turn, is connected with a chain I which passes around a sheave carried on the hand lever I5. The chain I30 is connected with a forwardly extending link I32 which at its forward end is connected with a second chain section I33 which also passes over a sheave mounted for rotation on the pivot member I22. The lower end of the ling arm I I0 either forwardly or rearwardly, thus" rocking the shaft I05 and raising or lowering the front end of the implement frame Releasing the hand grip I25 then permits th atch mechanism II I to reengage the sector and lock the adjusting shaft I00 in position, thereby holding the implement frame in the adjusted position to which it was moved. Thereafter, the implement frame moves with the tractor in following the irregularities of the ground surface.

While the implement frame I2 and associated operating units are so connected with the tractor that they move therewith as the latter traverses the field, according to the principles of the present invention all of the weight of the implement frame and the operating units is not imposed on the tractor. The present invention includes independently suspended ground engaging wheel means, separate from the tractor wheels, and associated spring means for sustaining a principal part of 'the weight of the implement frame and operating parts so as to relieve the tractor of these stresses. In the preferred construction, the arrangement of the springs and the wheel suspending means is such that the amount that each wheel supports is about the same, irrespective of the vertical position of the wheel with respect to the frame, within normal operating limits so that each of the implement wheels will follow the contour of the ground, ride over obstructions and follow through depressions and yet carry its proportionate share of the weight of the implement. Preferably, also, the independently suspended wheels, together with the brackets I0, support practically all of the weight of the implement so that only a very small portion, if any, is carried by the adjusting shaft I00 and arms I03 at the front of the tractor.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 3 and 4, the intermediate portion of the frame of the implement at each side of the tractor has connected thereto theindependently suspended wheel unit at that side of the tractor, and since each of the implement wheel units is substantially the same, a description of one will sufiice. In Figure 3, the right hand wheel, indicated by the reference numeral I50 in Figure 4, has been removed so as to clarify the showing of the toggle and spring mechanism and associated parts. The wheel I I50 is journaled for rotation on a steering axle I5I, the latter having a steering spindle journaled for lateral swinging movement in a sleeve I52 secured in rigidly fixed relation to a push bar I54 at the forward end portion of the latter. Preferably, the sleeve I52 is fixedly secured, as by welding, to a laterally outwardly directed bracket or ear I55 which, in turn, is welded, as at I55, to the forward end of the push bar I54. The rear end of the latter is fixedly secured to a U-shaped yoke I50 having rearwardly directed apertured ends I55 and I50 (Figure 6) to which is welded collars I5I and I52 journaled over the outer and inner ends, respectively, of the sleeves I3 and 02 fixed to the lower ends of the bracket standards II and I5. The yoke I55 at the rear end of the push bar I54 is reenforced by triangular gusset plates I55 and I55 which may be welded to the yoke I50 and the rear portions of the push bar I54, as best shown in Figure4. Theforwardendof thepushbar I94is provided with two spaced angles 119 that embrace and travel vertically along a track member "I bolted at its upper end to the rear end of the sub-frame member 4I. The lower end of the track member "I is reenforced by a brace I19 which Is connected to and extends from the lower end of the track member "I upwardly and forwardly to a point of connection with the downwardly and forwardly extending frame member 4|. By virtue of this means, the up and down swinging of each of the push bars I04 is guided. Aligned openings III are formed in the angles I10 and are adapted to register with one of a series of openings III formed in the track "I. By inserting a suitable member, such as a pin, the position of the push bar I54 may be fixed, this usually being done when the implement is to be detached from the tractor, as will be explained later.

I A toggle mechanism is connected between the implement frame I2 and the vertically swingable wheel I99. Such toggle mechanism comprises an upper toggle link indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I90 and comprising a laterally rigid structure made up of two spaced bars I9I and I92 (Figure 4) rigidly-fastened together by interconnected cross braces I92. At its upper end the link I has the upper ends of the bars I9I and I92 apertured and provided with suitable bearing sleeves to receive a pivot pin I95 which is supported in brackets I96 and I91 carried, re-

spectively, by the frame members 34 and 48, be-

ing preferably bolted thereto, as best shown in Figure 4. At the lower end of the link I90, the bars I9I and I92 carry an intermediate pivot pin I99 to which the upper end of a lower pivot link, indicated in its entirety in Figure 3 by the reference numeral 209, is connected. The toggle link member 299, like the link member I90, also comprises two bars 20I and 202 (Figure 4) the upper ends of which are apertured to receive the pivot pin I99 and the lower ends of which are pivoted, as by a pin 294, to a bracket 205 fixed to the push bar I54, being welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto.

A U-shaped clevis 2) is disposed between the toggle links 2lI and 202 (Figure 4) and receives the forward ends of a pair of springs 2, the rear ends of which are anchored to an ear 2'I4 fixed to the rear end of the push bar I54, as best shown in Figure 3. The springs 2II exert a constant tendency to straighten out the toggle mechanism I99, 299, thereby loading some of the weight of the implement onto the wheel I50, and preferably the springs are arranged to exert a pull sumcient to sustain practically all of the weight of the implement at the right side of the machine not carried upon the frame bracket 10. The upper ends of the lower pivot bars 2III and 292 are formed to extend forwardly, so as to dispose the pivot pin I99 considerably out of alignment with respect to the 'upper and lower pivots Illand 294, and the pin I99 is disposed far enough in advance of the position of the pins Ill and 294 thatwhen the wheel I50 drops into a depression, for example, the somewhat reduced tension of the springs 2 resulting from the rearward movement of the pivot pin I99 is oifset by the approach of the toggle links I90 and 299 toward their straightened position, whereby the reduced tension, of the springs has a proportionsli greater mechanical advantage in loading the weight of the implement frame and operating units onto the suspended wheel. when the wheel Iil rides over an obstruction the been described above so that a further description thereof is unnecessary, the left-hand wheel, indicated by the reference numeral I50, being connected to support its proportional share of the weight of the implement while yet capable of independent vertical movement by toggle and spring mechanism which preferably is substantially identical with that just described. Accordingly, the same reference numerals employed above have been applied to the wheel unit at the left side of the machine.

'The right and left implement wheels I50 and I50 are connected to swing about their vertical axes, defined by the spindle sleeves I 52, in the proper steering relation with respect to the dirigible wheels 2 of the tractor by means which is substantially the same as the steering arrangement shown in the patent issued June 11, 1935, to Wilbur J. Coultas and Norman F. Andrews, No. 2,004,720, to which reference may be had if desired. Referring now more particularly to Figure 4, the wheel spindles I52 carry steering arms 220 which extend rearwardly and at their inner ends pivotally receive adjustable steering links 22I and 222. The innermost ends of the adjustable links 22I and 222 are pivoted to a pair of brackets 224 fixed to opposite sides of a longitudinally disposed tube 225. The rear end of the tube 225 is pivoted, as at 220, to an arm 229 that is rigidly connected to and forms a part of the forward ends of the members 230 and 29I, constituting the draw bar 29, which are bolted at 232 (Figure 3) to the rear axle housing 4 of the tractor. I

The front end of the steering tube 225 carries a stub shaft extension 229 which is slidably received in a trunnion block 221 to which the upper and lower bars of a rearwardly extending steering arm 228 are pivotally connected. The arm 220 is rigidly secured to the intermediate portion of the dirigible front wheel spindle structure 249 so as to swing angularly therewith about the vertical steering axis defined by the front bracket forming a part of the front truck 2 of the tractor. Accidental withdrawal of the bar .229 from the sleeve 221 is prevented by a chain connection 249 between the member 221 and the front end of the tube 22', the chain 245 being connected to the forward end of the tube 225 by a bracket 246, as best shown in Figure 4. If desired, the member 291 may be fixed to the stub shaft 220 and the latter may be made slidable within the forward end of the steering tube 225.

The picket units II and it of the husking units I1 and II, as mentioned above, are mounted upon the implement frame I2, theunits I5 and I1 being on the left side of the tractor I and the units I6 and It being mounted on the implement frame at the right side of the tractor. The present invention is not concerned with the particular details per se of these units, it being suflicient to mention that the picker and husker details may be similar to those employed in the harvester shown in the patent issued July 24, 1934, to Wilbur J. Coultas and Norman P. Andrews, No. 1,967,498,

to which reference may be had if necessary. In general, each of the picker units includes inner and outer sets of gatherer chains 26l and 262 operating in conjunction with an inner snapping roll 264 and an outer snapping roll 265 (Figure l) According to the present invention, however, the two picker units l5 and 16 are driven by separate connections with the power take-off shaft of the tractor I.

The power take-off shaft of the tractor, indicated by the reference numeral 218 in Figure 5, is journaled for rotation in a sleeve extension 21l carried by the differential cover plate unit 212 of the rear axle housing 4, as best shown in Figure 3. The power take-off shaft 218 of the tractor carries a pair of driving sprockets, and also a driving pulley 213 (Figure 5), which will be referred to later. The forward driving sprocket on the power take-off shaft 218 of the tractor is connected by a sprocket chain 215 with a suitable sprocket carried at the rear end of a driving shaft 216 that is journaled in a bearing sleeve 211 carried on a bracket 218 bolted to the right hand portion of the tractor rear axle, preferably by the same bolts 9| that fasten the bracket 98 in position, although this is not necessary.

A telescopic shaft 288 is connected by universal joints 28l and 282 with the driving shaft 216 carried on the tractor as aforesaid and with the rear end of a shaft 283 joumaled in a depending bracket 284 bolted, as at 295, to the outer or subframe member 46. A gear 286 on the shaft 283 is in mesh with a companion gear 281 fixed to the rear end of a picker drive shaft 293 journaled in a bracket 295. The forward end of the shaft 293 carries a bevel gear 294 (Figure 4) which is in mesh with a companion bevel gear 298 fixed to the rear end of the supporting shaft 299 of the inner picker roll 264. The outer picker roll 265 is driven from the inner roll'by any suitable means, such as a pair of spur gears or the like. If desired, a slip clutch 383 may be operatively associated with the shaft 216 on the tractor so as to prevent overloading any of the associated parts. Preferably, the bracket 234 supporting the shaft 283 is reenforced by a brace 336 bolted to the cross.

frame member 48 and adJustably secured to the lower end of the bracket 284, as best shown in Figure 3. By virtue of the slip or telescopic shaft 288 and associated universal joint connections with the shafts 216 and 283, the drive from the power take-off of the tractor to the picker unit is effective at all times while accommodating any relative movement between the implement frame 12 and the tractor, such as occurs when the adjusting means I I5, I88 is actuated to raise or lower the gathered points 43 and 44.

The picker unit at the left side of the tractor is driven by connections which, for all practical purposes, are substantial duplicates of the parts just described. Therefore further description is unnecessary, and the same reference numerals have been employed to indicate corresponding parts of the drive for the left hand picker unit l5.

Referring again to the right hand picker unit l6, the power for driving the gatherer chains 26l and 262 is derived from the shaft 299 of the inner picking roll 264. Referring first to Figure 3, a sprocket is mounted on the shaft 299 and is preferably connected therewith through a slip clutch 389,,and a chain 3" is trained-over the aforesaid sprocket and over a sprocket 3 (Figure 1) fixed to the upper portion of a shaft 3l5 that extends downwardly and forwardly and is operatively connected with the inner gatherer chain 26l to drive the same. The uppermost end a of the shaft 3|5 carries another sprocket 328 over which a chain MI is trained so as to drive a shaft 323, the latter having a sprocket at its upper end receiving the chain 32i, and the shaft 323 is connected to drive the outer gatherer chain 262. The gatherer chains for the left hand unit-are driven in the same manner, and hence a further description is unnecessary.

The right and left hand elevator units 25 and 26 are driven, respectively, by suitable connections with the outer gatherer chain of each of the associated picker units. In the case of the right hand elevator unit 25, the elevator chain of this unit, indicated at 338 (Figures 1 and 2) is trained at its lower end over a sprocket (not shown) fixed to the lower end of a shaft 33! which at its upper end carries a sprocket 332 (Figure 2) driven from the gatherer chain 262. The elevator chain 338 of the left hand unit 26 (Figure 1) is driven in the same manner.

Each of the husker units (1 and i8 is driven by an appropriate connection with the picker driving shaft at that side of the tractor. As best shown in Figure 4, the inner picking roll drive shaft 293 carries a sprocket 348 over which the lower end of a husker driving chain 34! (Figure 3) is trained. In Figure 3, the lower portion of the driving chain 34l for the right hand unit is shown in full lines while the upper portion of the driving chain 341 for the left hand unit is shown in dotted lines. The upper end of chain 3 for the left hand unit is trained over a sprocket connected through a slip clutch 343 with the forward end of a husker drive shaft 344. The rear end of the shaft 344 is connected by a pair of bevel gears 346 with a tranversely disposed husker drive shaft 341, the drive shaft for the left hand unit l1 being indicated in Figure 3 and the drive shaft 341 for the right hand unit l6 being shown in Figure 2. Each of the shafts 344 is supported by a tubular member 358 which is fixed to the frame by suitable brackets 351. The husking rolls 355 (Figure 1) of the right hand unit i8 are driven from the shaft 341, and the husk conveyor in the lower portion of the hucker casing is driven from a shaft 356 (Figure 2) by a sprocket and chain connection 351, including an adjustable idler sprocket 368 carried in a slotted bracket 36I fixed to the upper forward portion of the husker unit frame. In Figure 5, the husk conveyor for the right hand unit is indicated by the reference numeral 365, and the conveyor for the left hand unit is indicated by the reference numeral 366. Each includes a more or less conventional slat conveyor operating over a plate bottom 361 (Figure 4), and each of the husker units also includes an ear retarder mechanism 368 driven from a sprocket 369 that is connected by a chain 318 with a sprocket 31l fixed to a shaft 312 at the rear end of the husk conveyor. Thus, the ear retarder mechanism for each unit is driven from the rear end of the associated husk conveyor for that unit.

The elevator i9 at the rear end of the machine is preferably supported from the rear ends of the implement frame bars 33 and 34. To this end, the sides of the elevator housing 398 carries brackets 39l (Figure 2) fixedly secured thereto and provided with sleeve portions journaled over bearings 392 carried by rearwardly extending arms 393 that are fixed to or formed as an integral part of a generally vertically disposed U-shaped supporting bracket 394. The latter is fastened at its upper end, as best shown in Figure 5, to the also securedat tbeirupper ends to the frame bars 99 and 94 by bolts 991 or the like. The lower portion of the elevator housing 899 carries a laterally extended hopper 999 which is adapted -toreceive theearsofcorn discharged fromboth of the husking units I! and II.

The elevator l9 includes an elevating chain 499 provided with paddles 4 (Figure 4) and is trained at its lower end over a sprocket 494 (Fig ure 3) mounted on an elevator drive shaft 499. The shaft '49! is iournaled in the bearings 992 that receive the elevator housing supporting brackets 99L as set forth above. The shaft 499 extends outwardly of the housing at the left end. as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4, and carries a gear 499 that meshes with a gear 491 carried by a shaft 499 suported by suitable brackets 499 carried on the rearwardly extending arms 992 that support the lower end of the elevator housing. One end of the shaft 499 carries a sprocket "2 (Figure 3) around which is trained the sprocket chain 4|! that extends upwardly to a sprocket 4I4 mounted on the laterally inwardly extended end of the rear husk conveyor shaft 312 for the left hand unit II, as indicated in Figure 5. Thus, the left hand husker unit I! serves to drive the elevator I9 serving both of the husker units I1 and II. The elevator I9 is held in proper inclined position by adjustable tension rods 4", and preferably, but not necessarily, the hopper 999, receiving the ears of corn from the two husker tmits II and I9, is fixed to and forms an integral part of the housing 999 of the elevator l9. As best indicated at 4" in Figures 2 and 3, the elevator hopper 991 is cut away to accommodate the removable rear cross frame member 54.

The discharge spout 420 of. the elevator i9 empties into the wagon 22, and the pole 2| of the wagon is preferably one that includes two sections 424 and 425 hinged together, as best indicated in Figure 2, by a hinge pin 429. When being drawn by the picker in rear of the latter, the front pole section 429 is folded back upon the rear section 424. The latter section carries the clevis 29 which is connected in draft transmitting relation to the draw bar 29 of the tractor, as previously mentioned, by a hitch plate 429 (Figure 4) fixed to the rear ends of the bars 229 and 2ll forming the tractor drawbar 29. Preferably, the hitch plate 429 is provided with a number of holes 429 in any one of which the clevis pin 499 may be The generally U-shaped bracket 394 upon which the elevator i9 is carried also serves as a support for a blower 449 operatively associated with both of the husking units I1 and in for the purpose of removing husks' and the like and discharging them onto the ground. Referring now more particularly to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the blower comprises a rotor 44! (Figure 3) fixed to a shaft 442 journaled for rotation on the blower casing 444 (Figure 5). The latter is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed outlets 445 and 446 which are connected, respectively, to ducts 441 and 449 by detachable bands 449 and 459. The ducts 441 and 449 receiving the discharged blast of air from the blower 449 are. carried, respectively, as fixed parts of the husker imits l1 and II. The ducts 441 and 449 discharge upwardly into the the rear ends of the husking boxes through screened openings 494 in the plate bottoms thereof, as best shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the discharge ends of the ducts 441 and 449 6 v sans rear endsoftheframebarsil an bybolts areprovided withdivided ,asindi- "I andisreenforcedbybraceslll which are catedatfllfortherighthan unitinrigure4.

'The blower 449 is driven directly from the power take-ofi shaft 219 of the tractor by a connection comprising a belt 499 (Figure 5) trained over the pulley 219 and over a pulley 4ll fixed to the forward end of the blower shaft 442. A pair of cross members 494 and 49' are disposed in vertically spaced relation and securely bolted to the supporting bracket 994, as best shown in Figure 5. The cross braces or members 494 and 49' receive and supp rt the blower 449, the latter being secured to the braces by bolt means 499 or the equivalent. The lower brace 49! also carries a pivot pin 499 upon which a belt tightener 499 is mounted. The belt tightener 489 includes a pulley 4'Ill urged against the belt 499 by a spring 4'. Remembering that there is relative movement between the frame l2, and the elevator structure carried at the rear end thereof, and the tractor when the front end of the implement is adjusted vertically, it will be seen'that the belt tightener 499 serves to keep the belt 499 taut as the machine is adjusted about the pivot axis 94 by means of the lifting lever H5. 7

In operation, assuming that the implement frame and all of its operating units have been properly mounted and connected, the machine is adapted to traverse two rows of corn, these stalks being guided into the points 49 and 44. Usually, the adjusting lever 4| issodisposedthatthesepartsrunalongthe ground in order to pick up any down or leaning stalks. The operation of the picking rolls removes the ears of corn, together with most of the husks attached there and the ears are then picked up by the conveyors 2i and 29 and moved rearwardly, preferably by the laterally inner runs of the chains 339, and discharged into the husking units l1 and I9, coming into engagement with the husking rolls 955 and pressed down thereagainst by the ear retarder means 999. Each of the husker units is driven, as pointed out above, from the associated driving connec tions for the picker unit at that side of the machine, and the operation of the units l1 and I9 result in the removal of the husks, silks and the like fromthe ears of corn, the blower directing a blast of air upwardly through the screened openings 454 of both units, forwardly between the upper and lower runs of the conveyors 9" and 396, and finally upwardly through the upperruns, carrying away the husks, silks and the like out of the forward end of the machine where such material is deflected downwardly by any suitable means, such as the shields indicated at 415 in Figure2. Thehuskedearsofcomaredischarged rearwardly from the rear ends of the husker units l1 and it into the elevator hopper 399 from which they are .picked up by the elevator chain 499 and carried rearwardly and upwardly and finally discharged over the spout 429 into the wagon 22 pulled at the rear of the machine. As the machine traverses the ground, the independently movable wheels I59 and IE9 follow any irregularities of the ground surface, but the toggle mechanism serves at all times to support a substantial portion of the weight of the implement and associated operating units.

when it is desired to detach the implement from the tractor, it is-a relatively simple matter to remove the few parts to be disconnected and move back the tractor out from between the sides of the U-shaped frame. First, the supporting brackets 994, carrying the blower 449 and the elevator I9,

. forwardly, and then the forward ends of the push bars in are fixed to the associated tracks ill by inserting pins through the registering openings I and IN. This maintains the implement supporting wheels I50 and IE0 in rigid relation with respect to the implement frame l2. A Jack is then placed under the rear end of each of the push bars I and adjusted to take the weight of the rear end of the implement off the pins 94, and when this is done the cotter pins are detached and the pins 94 removed.

Next, the steering connections are released by disconnecting the brackets 224 from the tubular member 22!, whereby the links HI and 222 will drop out of the way of the front wheels 3 of the tractor. The tilting connection is released by removing the pins I" associated with the arms I03 of the rock shaft I". The tractor can then be backed free of the implement, and during such movement the telescopic shaft connections 2" automatically separate. If desired, of course, the bolts holding the universal joints 2" to the forward end of the shafts 216 may be removed.

While we have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been embodied, it is to be understood that our present invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described above,-but that, in fact, widely difierent means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of our invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame, means rigidly connecting the frame with the tractor so as to move bodily therewith, operating means supported by said frame, and ground engaging wheel means movably connected with said frame so as to accommodate movement of the frame with the tractor relative to the ground and arranged to support a principal portion of the weight of the frame and the operating means carried thereby.

2. The combination with a tractor having supporting wheels, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame fastened to the tractor and movable therewith, operating means carried by said frame including parts disposed relatively close to the ground and gauged with respect thereto by the wheels of the tractor, and separate wheel means connected with the implement frame so as to move with respect to the implement frame when the tractor traverses irregularities in the ground, said separate wheel means being adapted to support a substantial portion of the weight of said frame and said operating means during their relative movement with respect to said implement frame.

3. The combination with a tractor having front and rear wheels, of an implement comprising a frame embracing the tractor and fastened thereto, operating units carried at each side of the tractor and having portions disposed alongside the front wheels of the tractor closely adjacent to the ground, said front wheels serving thereby as gauge means for determining the position of said operating units relative to the ground. and separate wheel means movable relative to both the tractor and'the implement frame and biased so as to support a substantial portion of the weight of the implement frame and the operating units supported thereby,

4. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame, operating means carried by said frame, means fastening the frame to the tractor so as to move with the latter, and load supporting wheel means movable independently of the tractor and operatively connected with said frame for supporting a substantially constant portion of the weight of the implement frame and operating means, independently of the position of the supporting wheel means relative to either the tractor or the frame.

5. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame connected with the tractor so as to move therewith, a pair of toggle links pivotally connected at one end with said frame, independently movable supporting wheel means connected with the lower end of each of said toggles, and spring means biasing said toggle links for movement so as to subject said wheel means to a substantial portion of the weight of said implement frame and associated parts while accommodating the independent movement of said wheel means relative to the tractor and said frame.

6. The combination with atractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a generally U- shaped frame embracing the tractor, downwardly extending brackets fastened to said frame and pivotally connected with the tractor to support at least a portion of the weight of the frame on the latter, adjusting mechanism connecting the forward portion of said frame with the tractor so that the frame moves with the latter, supporting wheel means movable independently of both a the tractor and said frame and each including rearwardly extending push bars connected to swing vertically about the pivot axes established by said brackets, and spring mechanism connecting said wheel means with said frame for supporting at least a portion of the weight of the latter on said wheel means.

7. The combination with a tractor having front steering wheels and a rear axle housing, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame of substantially horizontal U-shape with the open ends of the frame at the rear of the tractor and embracing the latter, downwardly extending supporting brackets carried by the sides of said frame, means pivotally connecting the lower ends of said brackets to the rear axle housing of the tractor, a forward portion of said frame being disposed adjacent the transverse plane of the front wheels of the tractor, and adjusting mechanism connecting the front portion of said frame with the tractor and shiftable to vary the position of the frame relative to the tractor.

8. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a generally horizontally disposed U-shaped frame embracing the tractor and having its ends extending rearwardly,

downwardly extending bracket means fastened to the rear ends of said frame and pivotally connecting the latter to the rear axle housing of the tractor, the forward portion of said frame including generally downwardly and forwardly disposed parts arranged closely adjacent to the front wheels of the tractor, picking rolls mounted for rotation on said downwardly and forwardly extending portion of the implement frame, means fromsaidpickingrollstosaidhuskingmeans.

andpivotallyeonnectedwiththetractorfor adjustingmovement relaflvetheretoaboutatransverseaxis,anadiustingrockshsftmo1mtedon the front porticnofthehactonarmsfined to warflyextendingportionsofsaidframemeansy whereby the rotation of said rock shaft adjusts the position of the front-end of said frame means relative to the tractor, and adjusting mechanism operatively connected with said rock shaft for controlling the podtion thereof.

10. The combination with a tractor having front and rear wheels and rear axle housing and associatedshaftsconnectedwiththelattencf an agricultural V implement frame detachahly connected with the tractor and comprising a generally U-shaped frame bar embracing the forward portion of the tractor. generally horizontally dispcsedframeharscozmected with the ends of said U-shaped member and extending alongside the tractor in parallel relation, the front ends of said horizontal frameimembers extending forwardly and downwardly to points adjacentthefront-wheelsofthe tractcr,across member connected to each of said forwardly.

and downwardly extending frame bars, a second 'framememhercarrledlaterallyoutwardlyof and 'ingenerallyparallelrelationwithrespecttosaid horizontal frame the forward end of said second horizontal member being connected with the ted crossmember and downwardly and forwardly therefrom, and bracket means rigidly connected to the two parallel framemunbers steachsideoftheimplement frame and extending downwardly and pivotally connected to the rear axle housing of the tractor. I

11.'l'.'he combination with a tractor having frontandrearwheelsandrearaxlehousingand associated shafts connected with the latter. of an agricultural implement frame detachably connected with the tractor and comprising a generally U-shaped frame bar embracing the forward portion of the tractor, generally hori-' zontally disposed frame bars connected with the ends of said U-shaped member and extending alongside the tractor in parallel relation, the front ends of said horizontal frame members extending forwardly and. downwardly to points adjacent the front wheels of the tractor, a cross namedbracketsandcperativelyconnectedto'be drivenfromthepowertake-oifofthetractors for relative therebetween to accommodate t of said frame relative to'the 13. The tion with a tractor having a power take-ofbof an agricultural implanent a generally U-shaped-frame embracingthetnctorandatleastinpart thereby, the forward portion of said frame ineluding generally mwnwardly and forwardly extendingparimaplcklngunitdisposedm each side ofthetractorandsupported on the down Picking units carrled thereby. one at each side of the tractor, a pair of husking imits on owesite sides of the tractor and carried at the rear end of said frame, means for driving the husking and picking units on one side of the tractor, means for driving the husking and picking units on the other side of the tractor, an elevator unit carried at the rear end of said frame in a position to receive material coming from both of said husking units, and means for driving said elevator unit from one of said husking units.

15. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a generally U- shaped frame embracing the tractor and disposed horizontally on opposite sides thereof, means fixing theimplement frame to the tractor, the ends of said frame extending rearwardly, picking and husking units carried on said frame,

'a generally downwardly disposed bracket fasframe to the tractor, a husking unit and a picking unit carried by said frame at each side of the tractor, the picking units being carried at the forward portion of said frame and the husking units being carried on the rear end portions of said frame, means for driving said husking and picking units from the power take-off of the tractor, a downwardly disposed bracket having its upper end portions connected, respectively, to the rear ends of said implement frame, a blower arranged to deliver a blast of air to each of said husking units and supported by said bracket adjacent the power take-off of the tractor, means driving said blower from said power take-off, and an elevator unit disposed to the rear of the trac- 43 tor and carried upon said bracket in a position to receive material from both of said husking units.

. 17. The combination with a tractor having a power take-ofl shaft at the rear thereof, of an agricultural implement comprising a generally U-shaped frame having its intermediate portion embracing the front of the tractor and its ends disposed rearwardly, operating means including a picking unit and a husking unit carried by said frame at each side of the tractor, means pivotally connecting the rear portion of said frame with the tractor, adjusting mechanism movably connecting the front portion of said frame with the tractor, means for driving said husking and picking units from the power take-off of said tractor, an elevator. unit disposed at the rear of the tractor and including elevating means and a sub-frame carrying one end of the elevating means and detachably connected with the rear ends of said U- shaped frame, a blower carried by said sub-frame and detachable with said elevator unit from the tractor,said blower being adapted to directa blast of air into both of the husking units, and detachable means for driving said blower from the power take-off of said tractor.

;, 18. The combination with a tractor having a power take-oil, of an agricultural implement comprising a generally U-shaped frame embracing the forward portion of the tractor, operating units supported on said frame at each side of the tractor,'a drive shaft for each of said units iournaled for rotation on said frame, a pair of shafts journaled for rotation on the tractor and operatively connected with the power take-off of the latter, and telescopic sections connecting the shafts at each side of the tractor and providing for the disconnection of said driving connections by relative rearward movement of the tractor with respect to said frame.

19. The combination with a main supporting unit, of an auxiliary unit comprising a frame connected with the supporting unit so as to move therewith, ground engaging means connected with said frame for movement with respect thereto, and means reacting against said frame and biasing said ground engaging means for downward movement for causing the latter to support a substantial portion of the weight of said frame and associated parts.

20. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame connected with the tractor so as to move therewith, means movably connected with said frame, supporting wheel means-connected with said means, and spring means biasing said movable means for movement so as to subject said wheel means to a substantial portion of the weight of said implement frame and associated parts while accommodating the movement of said wheel means relative to the tractor and said frame.

21. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame, means pivotally connecting said frame adjacent one end thereof with the tractor so as to support at least a portion of the weight of the frame on the latter, adjusting mechanism connected adjacent the other end of said frame and with the tractor so that the frame moves with thelatter, supporting wheel means movable independently of both the tractor and said frame, and spring mechanism connecting said wheel means with said frame for supporting at least a portion of the weight of the latter on said wheel means and accommodating said independent movement thereof relative to the tractor and said frame.

22. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a generally U- shaped frame embracing the tractor, means connecting said frame with the tractor so as to cause the frame to move therewith at all times, an operating unit supported on said frame and extending to a point adjacent the ground at the forward end of the tractor, supporting wheel means movable independently of both the tractor and said frame so as to follow irregularities in the ground surface, and spring mechanism connecting said wheel means with said frame so as to load a substantial portion of the weight of the frame and said unit on said wheel means while gauging the position of the operating unit in accordance with the front end of the tractor independently'of the position of said wheel means relative to said frame. I

23. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a generally horizontally disposed U-shaped frame embracing the tractor and having its ends extending rearwardly, bracket means fastened to the rear ends of said frame and pivotally connecting the latter to the tractor, the forward portion of said frame including generally downwardly and forwardlydisposed parts arranged closely adjacent to the front wheels of the tractor, picking rolls mounted for rotation on said downwardly and forwardly extending portion of the implement flckingrollstosaidhmkingmcans.

24. 'lhetionwithatractor,oi.anasr cultural implement a frame, operat- V ingmeamcarrledbysaidframe,meansfastening theframetothetractorsoastomovewiththe as 1 35. The I withatrsctonofanagricultural implement supported thereon and movable therewith, wheel means sep- ".saidwheel meanstotheimplement for-vertical movement relative thereto and tov 26.!heoombinationwithatraetonofanimaframe, meansconnecting said frametothetractorinaiimedpositiqirelative theretawheeimeansseparatefromthetractor.

for connectingsaid wheel means Vmovablywithsaidn'amaandmeansforawly Qagainstsaidfnme.

2?.1hewithatrsctonofanimplementhavingaframemeanssaid frametothetractorincludingmeansforadjustablyiiflngthepwltlnnofsaidframerelativeto l0 28..Hie with a tractor having supporting wheels, ofan'agricultural implement a-frame fastene'dtothe tractor and movable coadunatively therewith, operating meanscarriedbysaidframeincludingpariadisssposedrelativelyrclos'etothegrolmdandgauged withrespecttheretobythewheelsofthetractor,

and separate wheel means operatively connected with the t frame so as to'support'a portionoftheweightofsaidimplement. Q 29. The-tionwithatractor,o!animplement having a frame, means connecting said frame to the tractor including means for adjust- -'m 30.'lhewithatractor.ofanimpl'ementhavinga framemeansconnecting said frameto-thetractorinclmiingmeansfor adjustably'fixingthepositionofsaidframerelativeto saidtractoawheeioonnectedtosaidframe 1s and movable vertically relative thereto. spring meansandsaidframeagainstrelativeverticai anus meansex'ertingaliftingforceonsaid reacting against said wheel means, disabling means for optionally locking said movement. 7 v

81. The combination with a tractor. of animplement having a tram means connecting said frame to the tractor'including means for adjustabiy fixing the position of said frame relative to said tractor. wheel means connected'to said frame in;

and movable vertically relative thereto, spring means exerting a liiting'force on said frame and. reacting against said wheel means, and spring disabling means for optionally locking said wheel means to said frame in various positions of said is:

"torincludingmesnsfor adiustablyflxingthepodisposedrearaxlehousingandfrontand-reai'se carrying wheels, an implement comprising -a frame, means for pivotallvsimporflng said frame on said rear axle housing for vertical swinging movement relative to said tractor,, means for adiustablyflxingsaidframerelaflvetosaidtrac- 86' tor, and a ground engaging element for simporting a Mono! the weight of said implement, said element being movably connected with said implement and having resilient means acthig downwardly upon said element and reacting against said implement for determining the load ing upon said ground element,

34. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural machine comprising a frame, pivot means for supporting at least aportimofthe 45 weightofsaidframeonsaidtractorforvertical swinging movement relative thereto, adJusting mechanism connecting said frame to said tractor at a point spaced from said pivot means for holding saidframe rigidwithl p tosaidso tractor, supporting wheel means movable independently of both the tractor and said frame including fore and aft extending wheel. supportingmembersconnectedtosaidtractorforvertical swinging movement, and spring. as connecting said wheel means with said frame for supporting at least a portion of the weight-of the latter on said wheel means.

,35. In combination with a tractor having a longitudinally extending body, a so rearaxle housing,andfrontandrear carrying wheels, a harvesting implement comprising a-gathering unit connected at its rear end-to said rear axle housing and extending for wardly 'de the tractor body, securing 65,

means, spaced longitudinally from said connection of said gathering unit, for fixing the posiso. The with a man-a m 1s wheels about vertical axes.

37. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, an implement frame supported on said vehicle frame and movable relative thereto, means for adjustably fixing said implement frame relative to said vehicle frame, an additional supporting wheel movable relative to said implement frame and to said vehicle frame and connected to one of said frames and means acting downwardly upon said additional wheel and upwardly against one of said frames for determining the weight carried by said wheel. I

38. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, an implement frame supported on said vehicle frame and movable relative thereto, means for adjustably fixing said implement frame relative to said vehicle frame, an additional supporting wheel mov- I able relative to said implement frame and to said vehicle frame and connected to one of said frames, means acting downwardly upon said ,additional wheel and upwardly against one of said frames for determining the weight carried by said wheel, and means for steering said additional wheel.

39. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, an implement frame supported on said vehicle frame and movable relative thereto, means for adjustably fixing said implement frame relative to said vehicle frame, a pair of additional supporting wheels disposed intermediate said vehicle supporting wheels, lever arm means connecting said wheels with said implement frame permitting vertical movement of said wheels relative to said implement frame and providing for swinging of each of said wheels about vertical axes, and spring means coacting with said lever arm means, for determining the weight can-led on said additional wheels.

40. In combination with a tractor having a body supported on fore and aft carrying wheels, an implement comprising a frame, means for pivotally supporting said frame on said tractor body, means for adJustably fixing said frame on said body at a point spaced from said pivot means,- a pair of additional supporting wheels for said frame disposed on opposite sides of the tractor intermediate of said fore and aft supporting wheels, means for connecting said wheels to said implement frame, said connecting means providing for independent vertical movement of said wheels relative to said frame and providing for horizontal swinging movement of said wheels, and means acting through said connecting means, for determining the weight carried on said additional wheels.

'41. In combination with a tractor having ,a body supported on fore and aft carrying wheels, a corn harvesting implement including a gathering unit disposed alongside the tractor body and having a frame supported thereon in normally flxed position relative thereto, an additional supporting wheel for said implement frame disposed intermediate said fore and aft carrying wheels, a wheel supporting vertical spindle associated with said additional wheel, a longitudinally extending arm pivoted to said implement frame for vertical swinging movement, said spindle being swingably mounted on said am for movement about a substantially vertical axis, spring means connected betwe'en said arm and said implement frame and acting to force said arm downwardly relative to said frame whereby a portion of the weight of said frame is carried on said wheel.

42. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and 7 rear supporting wheels therefor, an attachment frame, means fordetachably mounting the latter frame rigidly on said vehicle frame, an additional supporting wheel connected to said attachment frame for vertical movement relative thereto, and yielding means acting downwardly upon said additional supporting wheel and reacting upwardly against said attachment frame, said means being adjustable to determine the proportion of weight carried by said additional wheel.

43. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefore, an attachment frame, means for detachably connecting the latter frame to said vehicle frame, an additional supporting wheel spaced longitudinally of said front and rear vehicle supporting wheels, means for connecting said additional wheel to said at tachment frame for vertical movement relative thereto and for pivotal movement relative to said attachment frame about a substantially vertical axis, and means acting downwardly upon said additional wheel and upwardly against said attachment frame for determining the weight carried by said wheel.

44. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, an attachment frame, means for detachably connecting the latter frame to said vehicle frame, an additional supporting wheel spaced longitudinally of said front and rear. vehicle supporting wheels, means for connecting said additional wheel to said attachment frame for vertical movement relative thereto and for pivotal movement relative to said attachment frame about a substantially vertical axis, and means acting downwardly upon said additional wheel and upwardly against said attachment frame for determining the weight carried .by said wheel, said last named means being adjustable to determine the proportion of weight carried by said additional wheel. I

45. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and.

rear supporting Wheels therefor, an attachment frame, means for detachably connecting the .lat-

ter frame to said vehicle frame, an additional supporting wheel spaced longitudinally of said front and rear vehicle supporting wheels, means for connecting said additional wheel to said .at-. tachment frame for vertical movement relative thereto and for pivotal movement relative to said attachment frame about a substantially vertical axis, means acting downwardly upon said additional wheel and upwardly against said attachment frame for determining the weight carried by said wheel, and means for steering said additional wheel.

46. In combination, a vehicle frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, an attachment frame, means for detachably connecting the latter frame to said vehicle frame, an additional supporting wheel spaced longitudinally of said front and rear vehicle supporting wheels, means for connecting said additional wheel to said attachment frame for vertical movement relative thereto and for pivotal movement relative to said attachment frame about a substantially vertical axis, means acting downwardly upon said addiand'upwardlyagainstoneofsaidframesfor determining the weight carried by saidwheel, and

means for, optionally connecting said wheel rigidlytooneofsaidframestoprevent relativemovement therebetween. 50. In combination, a vehicle frame, front'and rear wheels therefor, an attachment frame, means for detachably mounting the latt'erframconsaidvehicleframeanadditional supporting wheel to said attachm frame'for vertical relative thereto.

yielding means acting downwardly upon said additional wheel and reacting upwardly against said attachment frame, and means for optionally connecting said wheel rigi ly to said attachment frame to prevent said relative verticalmovementtoprovidefcrsupportingsaid attachmentframerigidlyuponsaidwheelwhen the vehicle frame is removed from the 51. The combination with a tractor having a relatively narrow body upported on laterally attachspaced rear traction wheels and on a front truclt or a'width not greater than the width of the" tractor body, of an'agricultural implement havingframemembersdisposedonoppdsitesidesof the tractor, means pivotally connecting said frame members to thetractor for vertical movement with respect thereto, apair of picking units mountedon said frame members near the front end of the tractor and on opposite sides thereof,

respectively, a pair of J-husking units rigidly mounted on said frame members adjacent the rear of the tractor and on opposite sides of the latter, respectively, an elevator unit for receiving item from said husking units, said elevator unit being detachably pivotally mounted on the rear ends of said husking units whereby the tractor may be driveniforwardly between said frame members into operative position with respect to said implement upon removal of said elevator unit.

r 52. 'lhecounbinationwithatractor,ofanagri-- anus edoneachofsaldframesectionsattheforward endthereof,apairofhuskingunitsdisposedon 'oppositesidesofthetractorandrigidlymmmted tor, an elevator carried on said bracket andvex-. tending upwardly and therefrom and adaptedtoreceivecornfrombothofsaidhusking units, said elevator iandmaid bracket being detachable from said bushing units to permit the tractor to be driven into and out of the implement, and means swingably connected to said implement providing for vertical movement relative thereto and engasms the ground for supporting the implement while the latter the tractor. v

53. The combination with a tractor, of an agricultural implement comprising a frame including frame sections extending along opposite sides of .the tractor, bracket means for pivotally mountingsaidframeontherearaxlehousingofthe tractor for vertical movement relative thereto about a transverse axis, the forward portion of said frameincluding generally downwardly and forwardly disposed parts arranged closely adjacent to the front wheels of the tractor, picking rolls mounted for rotation on said downwardly and forwardly extending portion of the implement frame, means adJustably fixing the front portionofsaid frametothetractorsothatthe front wheels of the latter serve as gauging means for the forward ends of said picking rolls, husking'mechanism disposed at each aided the tractor on the rear ends of the frame sections above said bracket means, and ground engageable means carried on the implement for supporting the latter when the latter is detached from the tractor.

54. The combination with a tractor. of an agricultural implement comprising a pair of fore and aft-extending frame sections spaced laterally to receive a tractor therebetween during operation. means for supporting said implement on the tractor to move ccadunatively therewith including means for adiustably fixing one end of theframe tothe tractor so that the frontwheels of the latter serve as gauging means for the implement. and supporting means swingably attached to the implement frame and adapted to be fixed thereto for supporting the implement on the ground when the tractor is removed, said supporting means also serving to support a portion of the weight of the implement when the latter isin operating position on the tractor.

55. The combination with a tractor, of a tractor mounted implement comprising a pair. of fore and aft extendingframe sections spaced laterally to receives tractor therebetween during operation, picking mechanism disposed'on the forward ends of said sections and husking mechanism disposed on the rear ends of said frame sections,

means for supporting said implement on the tree-- tor to move coadunatively therewith including means for adjustably fixing one end ofthe frame to the tractor in several adjusted positions relative thereto so that the front wheels of the tractor serve as gauging means for the implement, supporting means pivotally connected thereto for vertical swinging movement about a transverse axis'and adapted to be fixed relative to the implement frame for supporting the implement on the ground when detached from the tractor, per- 7 mitting thetractorto be driven out from between is detached from v moved, and an elevator supported on said bracket for receiving material from said huskin: mechanisms and delivering the same rearwardly therethe frame sections, said supporting means also serving to support a portion of the weight 0! the implement when the latter is in operating position on the tractor, bracket means dispom across the rear 01' the traetor and flxed to the rear ends of the two frame sections during operation but removable therefrom when the tractor is refrom;

ALVIN W. OEHLER. RALPH L. ANDERSON. 

